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Dale Earnhardt Jr’s NASCAR Driver Gutted After Altercation With Denny Hamlin’s Xfinity Colleague

Published 04/16/2023, 12:08 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

NASCAR races can be thrilling to watch with drivers pushing their cars and themselves to the limits, racing three-wide, and jostling for positions. However, things can quickly take a turn for the worse as the slightest mistake or bump can result in a major wreck. This was the case during the recent Xfinity race at the Martinsville Speedway where Sam Mayer, Riley Herbst, and Ryan Truex were involved in a crash.

Sam Mayer makes a wild gesture after being frustrated with JGR’s Ryan Truex

The incident occurred during this weekend’s Xfinity race when the three drivers were racing three-wide into a turn, with Truex bumping the back end of Mayer’s car, causing Mayer to spin out and collide with Herbst. The crash ended the race for both Mayer and Herbst, while Truex continued on, finishing outside of the top ten.

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The frustration was evident for the #1 Chevrolet driver for JR Motorsports, Sam Mayer, as he waited on pit road and gave Truex the middle finger when he passed by. Coincidentally, it is not the first time that Mayer has been involved in a crash followed by an altercation at the Martinsville Speedway. In April 2022, he was involved in a fistfight with Ty Gibbs after making contact with him in double overtime off of Turn 4. Clearly, Mayer’s frustration with the track and his fellow drivers is mounting.

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NASCAR community reacts as Sam Mayer takes a dig at Joe Gibbs Racing

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In a post-race interview, Mayer expressed his disappointment with the Joe Gibbs Racing driver Ryan Truex, stating that his aggressive driving caused issues for him during the race. Mayer said, “I can’t say anything bad about JGR drivers,” as he emerged from the medical center, “so I’ll just keep it to myself. Martinsville [is finished], moving on, ready to go.”

A number of fans took to social media to express their frustration with Mayer’s response, with some even calling for Ryan Truex to be suspended for intentional wrecking. Others were more critical of Mayer himself, suggesting that he was not showing enough aggression on the track and that he was more talented at making obscene gestures than actually winning races.

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One fan tweeted, “Suspend Ryan Truex for intentional wrecking!” while another said, “Truex! Park your butt back in ARCA! You don’t belong here!” Others have been more tongue-in-cheek, with one fan joking, “He is just telling him he is number 1,” and another quipping, “He is more talented showing the finger than winning races.”

 

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Ultimately, the incident at Martinsville serves as a reminder of the risks and rewards of racing. While there will always be moments of intense competition and close calls, it’s up to drivers to maintain their composure and remember the importance of safety and sportsmanship. With these values at the forefront, the world of racing can continue to thrive and provide excitement and entertainment for fans around the world.

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Written by:

Dasnoor Anand

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Dasnoor Anand is a NASCAR writer at EssentiallySports who brings a fresh perspective to the world of motorsports. She has always had a knack for writing and a love for cars. She has been an avid follower of Motorsports for several years and is particularly drawn to the intricate workings of the teams in Formula 1 as well as Stock Car Auto Racing.
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Edited by:

Nischal Kandpal